Tuesday, May 1, 2012

May Day!

Bealltainn, the day that marks the beginning of summer in Scotland (and other Celtic lands).

International workers day.

These are some of the celebrations associated with the first of May.

For me, the holiday does remind me of some traditions. When I was very young and living in California, our teachers had us make some sort of maypole and dance around it. I think it was because the place was run by hippies. It was, after all, California in the 1970s.

A tradition that I really enjoyed while growing up was celebrated regularly in Nebraska. we would prepare baskets of gifts and leave them on the doorsteps of our neighbors. According to tradition, if we were caught, the people whop caught us were supposed to give us a kiss. I never stuck around long enough to find out if this tradition was valid, but I still enjoyed leaving little gifts on the neighbors doorsteps and finding pleasant surprises on ours.

Another neighborly tradition that I am afraid is fading out of existence.

Why not carry on this tradition and give a nice gift to some of your friends and neighbors today. go ahead, it's May Day!

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About Me

After spending Ten years as a Pastor and Church Planter, James became involved in Law Enforcement and currently serves as a detective and a Chaplain for First Responders in Tucson, Arizona. He is also a board member with the Tucson Refugee Ministry.
Known for connecting with all ages using humor, engaging stories and personal examples, James will inspire you to grow your faith and your family while connecting with your culture and community.
When he is not working, you can find him hanging out with family and friends and hiking some of the local trails.

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What's in a Name?

Since a few have asked, "Why the name, 'Front Porch Fighter' ?", I will take a stab at answering it.

In times past, the predominant feature of most houses was the front porch. It was right out there in front and it used to be a gathering place for people from the neighborhood. Friends could come over and hang out, lovers could swing on the porch swing and moms would entertain with lemonade. The front porch was a place to get to know others and it signified a willingness and a desire to be in community.

The predominant feature on many homes built today is the garage. The garage is a place where you can pull your car in without anyone else having to talk to you or interrupt your schedule as you retreat into your private sanctuary. To me, the garage in front signifies a desire to live my own life and a kind of disconnect from the rest of the world.

While I appreciate some privacy and sanctuary, I feel that all too often, we are disconnected from the rest of the world and have lost a sense of community, which the home styles reflect. So, I am an advocate of the front porch....at least metaphorically speaking.